From Clearwater Proposal to Bilmar Beach Wedding | Hayden & Casey's Gulf Coast Love Story
It Started with a Surprise on Clearwater Beach
Before there was a wedding, there was a proposal. Hayden hired me to capture his surprise proposal to Casey on Clearwater Beach — a meticulously planned moment that required a clever cover story, a hidden photographer, and a custom engraved ring box. Casey had no idea. When Hayden got down on one knee, the look on her face said everything. She said yes, and the Gulf Coast became a pretty important place in their story.
See the full proposal here: Hayden & Casey's Clearwater Beach Surprise Proposal
When it came time to hire a wedding photographer, Hayden called me again. That kind of trust means everything!!!
A Destination Wedding at Bilmar Beach Resort, Treasure Island
The Bilmar sits right on the sand along Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island, just west of St. Pete — beachfront, polished, and with some of the most spectacular sunset views on Florida's west coast. Hayden and Casey live in Orlando and their families came in from all over the country. The Bilmar made it easy for everyone to be fully present, with guests steps from the beach for the entire celebration. They chose a Monday because it was Casey’s grandparents anniversary and figured everyone could enjoy the weekend before the wedding! Casey and the girls got ready in one of the suites and the energy and love you could feel from her bridespeople was amazing! They all were there to help her get ready and had a little time of sharing memories and toasts to Casey before cheers-ing to the day of celebration ahead. Hayden and the guy were super chill and up for anything so Linda took them around the property for photos, I love that picturesque pool and all the colors!
A Ceremony at Sunset — Intentionally
Rather than the traditional afternoon portrait session followed by an evening ceremony, this couple flipped the timeline entirely. The ceremony happened right at sunset, with the Gulf horizon in full display behind them as they said their vows. I used direct flash to balance the couple against that spectacular sky — keeping the light on them rich and intentional while the colors behind them did their thing. The results were exactly what this coastline is capable of delivering!! I love that they knew what they wanted and entrusted me to capture that vision!!
Night Portraits on the Gulf
With portraits happening after dark, we had the beach nearly to ourselves. The sky got even more colorful and intense as the time went on! A quiet shoreline, and two people completely at ease after the ceremony — it's one of my favorite ways to work. And here's a little behind-the-scenes secret from the photos by the water. I actually turned on the flashlight on my phone, tucked it into my waistpack, and let it shine on them hands-free. That small, continuous light added just the perfect amount of warmth and fill to capture the true essence of the scene — enough to feel natural, not so much that it overpowered the mood. I have never done that before, but, sometimes the most creative solutions are the simplest ones. The images have a moody, romantic depth that you simply can't replicate in daytime light, and that was exactly the vibe Hayden and Casey were after. The guests got to enjoy that amazing sky as the backdrop of cocktail hour as well!
A Reception Worth Dancing All Night For
If the ceremony and portraits set the tone, the reception turned it all the way up. The Bilmar's event space was transformed into something truly stunning — white, lush greenery, and candlelight everywhere you looked, creating that warm, romantic glow that makes a reception feel like its own little world. And then there were the personal touches that made it unmistakably Hayden and Casey. Their cake featured their beloved pups, because of course the dogs had to be part of the day even from home. And if you know this couple, you know their love for Kodiak pancakes is no small thing — they actually reached out to the brand hoping to find a way to incorporate it into the reception somehow. Kodiak came through in the best way, sending them custom Kodiak cookies that were an absolute hit with guests. It's the kind of detail that makes a wedding feel genuinely theirs.. The dance floor was packed from the first song to the last, and the energy in that room was the kind you feel in your chest. An insanely amazing party by every measure — the very last photo I think shows you exactly how amazing it was!
Planning a West Coast Florida Wedding?
Carrie Wildes Photography is based in the Tampa Bay area and serves couples throughout Florida's west coast — Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, Sarasota, and beyond. Whether you need a proposal photographer, a wedding photographer, or both, we'd love to be part of your story.
Creative Team
Venue: Bilmar Beach Resort Planner: Karla Marie Events Hair & Makeup: Savannah Olivia Beauty Florals: By the Bay Floral Cake: Sweet Divas Cakery DJ: Jeff Staples Group Bridal Gown: Solutions Bridal Bridesmaids: Revelry Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse Photography: Carrie Wildes Photography